In NPR’s list of the 25 Most Influential Women Musicians of the 21st Century, Natalia Lafourcade is declared the “Guardian of Cultural Memory.” Upholding her work as a “testament to the creativity and pride that unspools when one taps into tradition,” she has spent over two decades reimagining Latin American music, blending Mexican folklore with elements of pop and jazz. With a catalog that spans from heartfelt boleros to innovative compositions with symphony orchestras, Lafourcade’s music bridges generations while continuing to break new ground.
Lafourcade’s career began in 2002 at just 18 years old with the release of her self-titled debut album. She has since released a series of acclaimed albums, including Hasta la raíz (2015), which established her as one of the most important Latin artists of her generation and earned her first Grammy Award.
A master collaborator, she has worked with icons across genres, including Jon Batiste, David Byrne, Gustavo Dudamel, and Los Ángeles Azules. She has also recorded with luminaries such as Omara Portuondo, Jorge Drexler, and Juan Gabriel, pushing the boundaries of Latin music. Her most recent album, De todas las flores, was recorded live to analog tape and won both a Grammy and a Latin Grammy, reaffirming her reputation as a visionary artist.
Lafourcade’s impact extends beyond music. She established the Fundación Natalia Lafourcade, dedicated to supporting music education through Mexico’s rich folklore traditions. She was also named the first-ever Ambassador of Music for Peace at the 19th World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, recognizing her music’s power to unite and inspire.
For this tour, Lafourcade will perform with just her voice and guitar. This is an extraordinary opportunity to witness her artistry in this intimate setting.
Author Louise Penny headlines the Chan Centre’s newest series, Made in Canada, which spotlights homegrown talent across disciplines. As one of the country’s premier performing arts venues, the Chan Centre is proud to uplift the diverse voices of Canadian artists, especially in this climate of American antagonism.
Penny’s appearance at the Chan Centre is part of her tour in support of her upcoming book, The Black Wolf. Citing the “ongoing threat of an unprovoked trade war against Canada by the US president,” she will no longer be touring the US and has moved her book launch from Washington DC’s Kennedy Center to Ottawa’s National Arts Centre. Stating that “What is happening is not just a potential economic catastrophe for Canada and so many other nations, it is a moral wound,” Penny is stalwart in “standing shoulder-to-shoulder with [her] fellow Canadians.”
One of the world’s most celebrated mystery writers, Penny is the author of the Chief Inspector Gamache series, which has sold over 18 million copies worldwide and been translated into 35 languages.
Set in the fictional village of Three Pines, her latest release, The Grey Wolf, was named one of the 10 Best Mystery Novels of 2024 by The Washington Post. The next novel in the series, The Black Wolf, will be released on October 28, just one day before her Vancouver appearance.
Called a “daring writer” by The Globe and Mail, Penny is renowned for her intricately woven plots and deep explorations of the human psyche. Her accolades include seven Agatha Awards, five Anthony Awards, two Arthur Ellis Awards, as well as the Order of Canada and l’Ordre national du Québec.
Beyond her literary success, Penny’s work has been adapted for television, with Three Pines, starring Alfred Molina, debuting as a #1 series in Canada and the UK. Her Three Pines Foundation provides support for literacy programs and dementia care.
Join Louise Penny for an evening of conversation, storytelling, and a behind-the-scenes look at her acclaimed mystery series.
